Neverdead Brings the Oddball to Xbox and PS3

What is Neverdead?

It's a third person action game starring... Bryce Boltzman. I. Love. That. Name.

Anyway, the game looks pretty cool and feels like a DMC-ish romp with plentiful demon slaying and a slightly off kilter protagonist. Named Bryce Boltzman.

Screens and release after the break-

Barnes and Noble Nook Color Looking Great

With the announcement of Barnes and Noble's Nook Color, a lot of the wild speculation about the device has been sorted out and we can take a better look at this nice little reader/sorta android tablet.

Xbox LIVE Update -- 'Undead, Bloody, and Haunted' Edition

Halloween flavored update this week on LIVE as we get couple of ghastly Arcade titles and Undead Nightmare for RDR. The Hot Pursuit demo is up too if cops and robbers is more your thing.

The Smurfs invade Farmville... Kinda.

Have you ever been playing Farmville and thought 'I wish there were a couple of Smurfs in here'? Well sit right back and enjoy friends because your day has arrived.

Capcom has been brewing up an iPhone/iPad game to go along with next summer's Smurfs live action movie and... wait... live acti...

Oh sorry, I had some technical difficulties there for a sec *ahem* The game doesn't really have anything to do with the movie from what I can see. It's pretty standard building, farming, and socializing stuff- just with a Smurfy flair. Nice cartoon look though.

Smurfs will be out next month on the App store for free.

Read on for the full release and some more screens-

SEGA Game Sales so Low It's Spooky

SEGA is having an iPhone Halloween sale! Because nothing says All Hallows like a traditional App sale.

All kidding aside, these are some really good deals- even Sonic 4 is included:

Sale-priced titles include:
   • Ecco the Dolphin: $0.99 (was $2.99)
   • Shining Force: $0.99 (was $2.99)
   • Streets of Rage: $0.99 (was $2.99)
   • Football Manager Handheld: $2.99 (was $4.99)
   • Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I: $6.99 (was $9.99)

Stock up for some Halloween eve Football Manager! Shivers!

Super Mario 25th Collection Officially Comes to the US

Yes, it's official- Super Mario All Stars is American Wii bound. I'm very happy.

Today, Nintendo of America revealed plans to give U.S. consumers a super-special way to celebrate the  25th anniversary of the  Super Mario Bros.™ game series. Starting Dec. 12, the Super Mario All-Stars™ Limited Edition will be available for purchase while supplies last. This collectible package features four classic Mario™ games playable on the Wii™ system, a soundtrack CD and an illustrated commemorative booklet. Sure to be a sought-after item among holiday gift-seekers,  Super Mario All-Stars will be offered at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Thirty bucks? Nice. I don't know if I'm buying the limited-ness of the pack, but I'll buy it the second I see it all the same.

Read on for the complete package contents and full pressy-

PSP2 Details Continue to Leak Out

If this is true, it's going to be one hell of a little powerhouse.

Reportedly, the PSP2 will have superior processing power to the Xbox 360! And that's not all- Duel analog sticks (yay!) and a touch pad make for a very attractive package overall. What's not so great is that Sony is alledgedly continuing it's push towards download only titles.

That's right, according to a report by Kotaku, UMD is gone and there's nothing to replace it- PSN or bust for the future of the PSP is looking very likely at this point.

Personally, I can't stand it. I need physical disc's. Not to mention that you can forget about used games and buy 2 get 2 at your local store. Then there's also the fact that this puts the nail in the coffin of backwards compatibilty for the PSP line. Did the PSP Go really do that well to support the DLC only plan Sony was looking for?

The answer is 'no', so this really makes no sense. At all. I suppose Sony is thinking that the lure of a portable juggernaut will make people forget all of the downfalls of discless games. Nothing is even close to final so I guess we'll see...

Playstation Phone outed

The Playstation Phone is something that's been rumored for a while- a loooong while. In fact, I remember talking about a PSPhone since before the iPhone was a glimmer in Steve Jobs' eye.

So now it looks like there actually is a Playstation Phone. Shots have surfaced, some details are out, blah, blah, blah... The problem is, especially with the leaked info of the PSP2, we no longer need a Playstation Phone. Who would be the market for this thing? People who miss their N-Gage? Sony fanboys? Even then, Sony has been the first one lately to say how inferior phones are for gaming.

I don't know, it makes no sense to me, but maybe somebody out there doesn't like iOS, Android, or Blackberry, or any of the thousand other phones and phone OS' out there- and maybe they don't want a PSP2, or even a 3DS. Maybe that's the market?

More on Ars.

Sony Announces 'Playstation Rewards'

Right now it's in Beta and only available to Advisory Panel members and PSPlus subscribers, but this is exactly what it sounds like- a rewards/loyalty program similar to club.nintendo. There's avatars and themes as well as a trip to the CES to be had right now so it's getting off on the right foot- presumably there'll be a lot more variety in the options to pick as your said rewards when it goes into final release but it looks pretty cool right now.

Plus just got a lot more enticing I'll tell you that...

Playstation Rewards

PSN Update -- 'Red Dead Sale' Edition

All things expansion and Red Dead Redemption are on sale this week- Undead Nightmare too. What else you ask? Blacklight, some new costumes for Super Street Fighter 4, Killzone costumes for Little Big Planet PSP, and a bunch of Avatars.

Read on for the complete update-

Nintendo Reminder- We Have Third Party Games

Really! Goldeneye, Epic Mickey, and Sonic Colors being the first three this Holiday Season that immediately spring to mind.

More (not too much more though) after the break-

Tom Cruise Comes to LIVE

Days of Thunder (also known as Top Gun on asphalt) is turning 20! What better way to celebrate than with an Xbox LIVE Arcade game!?!

I know, it's just all too perfect.

Anyway, it'll be available this "winter" on the Arcade and feature "iconic drivers, Cole Trickle, Rowdy Burns and Russ Wheeler behind the wheel again in Days of Thunder: Arcade."


Full release, including Mr Trickle, after the break-

New Star Trek Game to be Browser Based

Star Trek: Infinite Space will be the first ST game in a while (since Online I think). Taking place in the main Star Trek Universe (not in the Abrams-verse), Infinite Space is set in the time of the Next Generation/Deep Space Nine and looks like a Dominion War kind of thing-


Star Trek® - Infinite Space from Gameforge on Vimeo.


I don't remember the Klingons being in open war with the Federation and I was a huge Trek fan, but hey who knows... the trailer looks nice.

The game will also be free to play and based entirely in browser- we'll see I guess. I'm still waiting for some new graphic adventures. Hell, even the action/RPG/RTS stuff would be fine. This license all but disappeared over the last few years.

Official Site

John Lennon's Imagine to be Among the First DLC Albums for Rock Band 3

Lots of big names are being thrown around by EA for today's release of the long awaited third entry in the excellent Rock Band series. In the mix for the first couple of weeks are the Doors, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi- and now, John Lennon's Imagine:

"The songs on John Lennon's Imagine run the gamut from beautiful piano-driven ballads like ‘Jealous Guy’ to all-out guitar rockers like ‘Gimme Some Truth’,” said Paul DeGooyer, senior vice president of electronic games, music and programming for MTV Networks. "It's an incredible musical statement, and a real workout on keyboard, guitar and vocals in Rock Band 3. We're very excited to confirm it as one of the first downloads for our new game, and to help our fans celebrate John's 70th birthday with its release."

Read on for the full release-

Dead Rising 2 Sports Theme Pack is in Your Face

I probably wouldn't want to tackle a zombie. Ick. But Chuck Green has no issues with that as long as he's decked out in a football jersey and a viking hat. Go figure.

The Dead Rising 2 Sports Theme Pack is now available to download on Xbox Live, Games for Windows Live and the PlayStation Network.   The new Sports Theme Pack DLC gives players increased attack power when they use sporting goods to take down hordes of zombies.

Not only does Chuck gain attack bonuses from sports weapons, he will also have a new charge/tackle attack to blitz down zombies.  With these new abilities a hungry sports fan needs to have their snacks.  Gain extra health from consuming food and drinks, especially alcoholic ones- and this time you won’t get sick!

To top it off, if you’re ever short on cash, gamble and hit it big.  Chuck will earn bigger payouts from gambling with the all new Sports Theme Pack.

The Dead Rising 2 Sports Theme Pack is available to download for 160 Microsoft points, or $1.99 on the PlayStation Network.

Back to the Future on Mac & PC Hits 88mph in December

No word on when exactly but December it is- The new game(s) by developer Telltale will begin right where BttF 3 left off with the all new time travelling shenanigans of Doc and Marty. There's a lot of great buzz around these games (it's going to be episodic) - from the amazing sound-alike voices to the classic adventure game style - there's a lot to like for fans of the films or just good solid graphic adventures.

PC and Mac will be first out of the gate but there'll be iPad and Playstation 3 versions as well. No word yet on if they'll be any different from the computer games but, excepting Trophy support for PS3, I can't imagine they would be. Odd though, why no Wii or Xbox LIVE versions? Doesn't make a lot of sense there.

Well, either way, I can't wait for it. Full release after the break-

Apple to Aquire Sony?!?

MSN makes the case for a somewhat hostile takeover of the Japanese electronics giant here.

Needless to say, this would be massive- a move of epic proportions. Apple has shown interest in gaming and television in a big way as of late with it's iPhone/iPad game pushes and Apple TV revamp. But those are a pair of things that Sony already does very well, has a huge amount experience with, and has a respected name with. An iCompany takeover of Sony seems like a pretty good fit to me.

That said though, there's no hard proof that this is even being seriously discussed right now and to say that details are light is probably an overstatement. Bottom line? There might be nothing to this at all, but if there is... it's a game changer in quite a few ways.

Nintendo Download -- 'Bit.Planetarium.Flashlight' edition

I could have just called this 'Slim Pickens' edition again but I don't want to repeat myself.

BIT.TRIP FATE and that's about it...

Sony Lets the PSP2 Out of the Bag

Read more here on Kotaku.

The machine sounds pretty good, but honestly I'm more than a little wary about any new portable from Sony. I jumped in on the first PSP at launch mainly because of the unit's specs and Sony's reputation. But after the massive mishandling of the PSP for the last few years, the technical specifications alone aren't really enough for me to buy in.

Still... if the launch lineup is solid... oh crap, I'm such an early adopter.

Power Gig Hits Shelves With Limited Edition Guitar

What's made of real wood, costs $250.00, and plays music whether it's plugged in or not?

Power Gig's guitar controller of course. The newest rhythm game on the block boasts something never before seen in the genre- a real guitar packed right in the box. The new axe (now sold separately as well) allows you to actually play while you're playing and maybe really learn a thing or two. The controller also can be used outside of the game, played as a fully functional electric guitar.

I'm personally really excited about this game, the 'real guitar' is super unique and has somehow been overlooked by the two big boys of the genre- Rock Band and Guitar hero.

In all fairness, RB did introduce the Keyboard this year as well as the more realistic 'pro mode'- but Power Gig is really doing something different here. I hope the game is as well made as the controller and that it does well at retail- it's a great idea that can hopefully evolve a really stagnant genre.

Pressy after the jump-

WWE 2011 Online Match Types Detailed

Online Rumble Action

The Royal Rumble is playable online. That in and of itself is awesome, the only match I used to play in the old SNES WWF games was the Rumble and it was always my favorite event in the Federation so this news in particular is very welcome- even for someone who doesn't really play online all that much.

There's also a WWE Shop that will offer a load of DLC right off the bat; including superstars, legends, areas, and more. It's sure to piss off everybody in the 'why wasn't this just on the disc?!' crowd.

'Community Creations' is a feature that I thought was new, but was apparently in last years game as well. It's essentially a bulletin board where you can post your creations and storylines for download a la Little Big Planet. This is a potentially purchase worthy feature in and of itself since it erases all the hours of making your favorite snubbed wrestler, after all- why do it yourself when you could just get someone else to do it for you? I remember when 'WWE Legends' came out I was making guys left and right, it felt like the good old days of No Mercy and Wrestlemania 2000 on the N64 all over again. Which was fun, but it took an eternity.

Things went a little faster when I found a really terrific site that hosted recipes (complete with screenshots!) of created superstars. Then it was a simple 'follow the lines' kind of thing- Community Creations might erase the need for sites like that. Which is kind of a shame really.

Full 'New Modes' release and a bunch of screens after the break-

Cable Providers Seeking to Pile on the Features

Somewhat interesting and more than a little telling is that there's a lot of movement among cable TV providers lately to add more and more features to their set top boxes. Internet connectivity, DVR's, apps, and even integration with iPads and other hand held devices are all coming soon.

This is an attempt to stem the ever increasing tide of 'new distractions' that are available to people the world over. Coming home and flicking the TV on might still be a pretty attractive thing after a long day at work, but more and more folks are turning away from traditional pastimes like Television and looking to games, 'net based attractions, social networking, and more to distract from the daily grind.

What takes up the majority of your entertainment time? For me it's probably a mix of gaming and reading through web sites- but I know plenty of folks for who it's music, reading (on their Kindles, nooks, iPads- or paper), Blu Ray movies, or even poking around on Facebook (for hours... and hours).

As the entertainment industry changes in this new millennium, the days when you just had to get home to watch the new episode of the X-Files or Seinfeld seem to be long gone. Even if you do have a favorite show, chances are that you can find a way to watch it online. Hulu, YouTube, and even some network's home sites, all stream content that was only found on television in years past. As Cable companies careen towards irrelevance, they're doing their best to make sure that you stick with them for the foreseeable future. Even if it means teaming up with their competition and crossing over into the iPads of the world with additional content and control to supplement your set top.

Currently, there are quite a few apps floating around that allow you to control your DVR from your iDevice- there's lots more to come as well. Giving users a new toy or control ability might work in the short term, providing a relatively new experience, but in the grand scheme of things- it's still just TV.

We'll see if that means all that much in the years to come.

NBA Jam Online Play detailed and launch Date Confirmed for Xbox 360 and PS3

So this is a little more in depth than just saying 'it'll have online play'.

At launch, which will be November 17th, Jam will have 'classic 2 on 2' play over LIVE and the PSN. Shortly after that (read:sometime in December) the online feature set will 'blow up' as the kids say with a title update that includes a pretty robust list of modes and 'Online Progression' that allows players to "level up" and be ranked globally. There's unlockable stuff to go along with that too.

Full release after the jump-

NBA Jam Retails it on over to the Xbox and PS3

Originally a simple packed-in download code, Jam for the 360 and PS3 has gone the full blown retail box route.

In case you're out of the loop, Jam was a semi Wii exclusive- the 'next-gen' consoles were to get a download only version of the game that was packed in with the now delayed 'NBA Elite 11'. The DLC was essentially the same game as the Wii version only stripped of most of it's modes including online multiplayer.

So the consoles that people actually play online with weren't getting online play while the Wii was. As you could imagine, it didn't go over too well with fans of the classic hoops title. After all, one of the joys of the classic game was schooling a 'pal'. When EA Sports announced that Elite was going to be delayed, they also said that Jam was to become a stand alone title out in time for the Holidays. Most thought it would still be download only, just more like the complete experience found on the Wii-

Enter: the 360/PS3 retail box. This should be the same as the Wii title in every way, just with HD graphics. There's no word on an actual release date yet (the Wii version is out now) but it will be on shelves before the Holiday Season. Fans should be happy.

Also aiding in the happiness are a bunch of screens after the break, enjoy-

Nintendo Unveils it's Holiday Wii and DS Bundles

Nintendo has a whole lineup of limited edition 'Mario red' Wii's and DS' ready for the Holiday season, and it's all to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. Now you might think, maybe logically, that the Wii bundles would include the European and Japanese exclusive 'Super Mario All Stars Anniversary Pack'. But you'd be wrong.

Hey look at it this way, at least you get the Wiimote Plus.

Read on for slight disappointment!

Xbox LIVE Update -- 'Already Dead Meat Quest' Edition

Some very good stuff this week for the LIVE faithful. Costume Quest, Super Meat Boy and the Fist of the North Star demo headline for me- and you?

PSN Update -- 'Costume Quest' Edition

A very nice little release for this week on the PSN- Costume Quest is a double fine produced (so it'll be pretty good and no one will play it) RPG that has a Halloween flavor. We also get some nice little PSPlus sales and freebies (free Oddworld!) and some PSOne Imports that no one will buy.

Read on for more-

Nintendo Download -- 'Mystic Halloween' edition

Not much this week.

Final Fantasy headlines the offerings. Read on for nothing all that great...

Edit: I really don't remember this particular FF but I hear from a bunch of sources that it's the worst one ever. What a score!

Dead Rising 2 SoF Pack Out Now

Okay so this one I'm seriously thinking about getting- I love the gunplay in DR2 but it still feels a little too limited (way better than the first game but still) for my tastes.


The Dead Rising 2 Soldier of Fortune Theme Pack is now available to download on Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows LIVE and the PlayStation Network. Live in your own 80’s action flick as the new DLC gives players extreme firepower to plow through hordes of zombies with Chuck’s new amped up arsenal of guns.

With the Soldier of Fortune pack, all guns will now have increased firepower, better accuracy and their ammo capacity doubled. Nothing will get in Chuck’s way as the pack will also include a new special “hail of bullets” attack where mowing down masses of zombies will be easier and more fun than ever before.

The Dead Rising 2 Soldier of Fortune Theme Pack is available for 160 Microsoft points or $1.99.

Buy two get one Free for All

No less than three buy 2 get 1 deals are going on right now, which is newsworthy in and of itself...

Gamestop is having one on used games (of course), Toys R Us is having one on new games, and online shop goHastings.com is having a buy 2 get 1 for a dollar on it's used game offerings.

Good stuff all around, so if you're looking to build up your gaming backlog just in time to buy a bunch more in the holiday crush- nows your chance.

F3AR Mechanized Combat Stops Being Nice and Starts Beign R3al

Really Wouldn't Mind Riding Around in One of These

Who likes mechs? Who likes big mutha mechs? Okay, now that we've covered everybody- FEAR 3 (F3AR) is going to have a little more of that hot mech on soldier action that you loved oh so much from the last game- a lot more. And thank God for that, I thoroughly enjoyed Fear 2, don't get me wrong, but the mech portions were a standout.

Read on for more screens and some detail about mech suits from the series' newest-

Halo: Reach Expands it's Battlefield

The first map pack for Bungie's swansong is dropping in on LIVE and at retailers (I'm assuming in DLC card for the latter) just in time for some Holiday season blastin' fun.

The 'Noble Map Pack' includes three new multiplayer maps:

• Tempest – “Though we may never fully understand these devices, it is not our nature to leave ancient stones unturned.” This abandoned shoreline facility bends both sea and sky to an unnatural purpose, but the ground itself has quickly become another all too familiar battlefield. Though the two opposing symmetrical bases may never reveal their ancient purpose, both now offer makeshift shelter and access to strategic routes perfectly suited for small and large scale skirmishes alike. Tempest supports 8 – 16 players and offers a variety of modes including Free for All, Team Slayer, Team Objective and Big Team Battle. Tempest also provides players with a huge Forge palette, allowing them to create new custom map variants that can be shared with the community-at-large
• Anchor 9 – “Orbital dockyards provide rapid refuelling and repairs for a variety of UNSC vessels.” Within the confines of this low orbit dry-dock, UNSC craft undergo rapid repair and rearmament in support of the enduring war effort. But for the small squads of infantry who now fight over the mirrored interior hallways and open central hangar bay, this platform no longer provides any safe harbour – whether the close quarters combat is occurring inside or out of its artificial gravitational field. Anchor 9 allows 2-8 players to face off in game variants including Free for All, Team Slayer and Team Objective
• Breakpoint – “ONI officials believe the data buried within this artefact is key to our survival.” Atop this icy precipice, the Invasion continues. These modular archaeological labs were never intended to withstand such a large scale onslaught of Covenant military power, but the information being extracted here may prove vital to humanity’s survival. In response to the imminent Covenant threat, UNSC ground and air assets have been deployed to bolster entrenched Spartan countermeasures. This dig site must yield salvation, or it will become a grave. Breakpoint offers multiplayer mayhem for 8-16 players, and supports the Invasion and Big Team Battle game variants

I know this is out of Bungie's realm, but maybe for the future developers of the Halo franchise- Could we get some single player DLC? All this multi is great but a lot of die-hard halo players actually like the story behind the games and would definitely appreciate a little more of it.

Full Release and more screens after the break-

Nintendo World NYC is Shutting Down for Re-Modeling

Now don't get all crazy, it's only for a few weeks-

The Nintendo^® World store in New York will close its doors for a few weeks to undergo renovations. The two-story, 10,000-square-foot Rockefeller Plaza store will shut down at 8 p.m. on Oct. 13 and reopen at 9 a.m. on Nov. 1. Then on Nov. 7, the store will host a daylong grand re-opening celebration event for consumers.

 Why the re-model? Well...

• Expansion of the Nintendo Showcase to twice its original size. The showcase will feature Nintendo products and artifacts in a visually impressive way.
• New floors and new lighting.
• New interactive stations for Nintendo DSi^™ and Nintendo DSi XL^™.
• New graphics throughout the store. 

There's going to be an update to this from Nintendo the closer we get to the seventh about the re-opening party- I'll keep you posted.

New TRON Screens are All Full of Neon

Pivot Play

 And full of win too. The game is looking fantastic- check out the rest of the new screens after the break and try not to get too excited.

Rock Band 3 Starts Off Music Store Additions in Style

As a big Doors fan I'm very happy to hear that RB3 will debut with a three pack of free downloadables from the Doors, and they are-

• Riders on the Storm
• Touch Me
• Light my Fire

Also that week, there will be a nine pack of tunes featured as paid DLC on the Rock Band Network:

• Hello, I Love You
• LA Woman
• Love Her Madly
• Love Me Two Times
• Peace Frog
• People Are Strange
• Roadhouse Blues
• Soul Kitchen
• The Crystal Ship

Why so many Doors tunes all at once? Keytars Keyboards. I can't over state how happy, on a personal level, I am about LA Woman. Mojo rising indeed-

More RB3 Doors insanity after the break... well maybe insanity is a strong word, its really just the press release.

The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

I just saw this on Majornelson.com and zipped over to Amazon to check it out. As a lapsed Star Wars fan that still enjoys the original movies, I'm having a lot of trouble saying no to this book.

List is like ninety bucks, Amazon has it for forty-six...

PSN Update -- 'Boo!' edition

This week's update is all about the scare... for some reason... I mean Halloween's like, what, almost three weeks away? Am I right here? Come on, back up for once!

I mean, hey wait a sec... PSOne classics!!11!!!1

All kidding aside, this is a really nice update and a good mix of stuff. We get the Dead Space 2 prequel 'Ignition', Sonic 4 episode 1, and a pair of PSOne classics with Arc the Lad & Alundra. Assorted other stuff that may or may not interest you comes along for the ride that enhances the mysterious emphasis on Halloween. Couldn't wait I guess- anyway, more like this Sony.

X-Men the Arcade Game Finally Comes to Consoles

Why's Cyclops in the Back?

Well, here's a day one purchase-

This is one of my personal favorites from the arcade days of the '90s and to see it come home after all these years is a real treat- The game originally debuted in 1992 and featured two flavors of cabinet. There was the standard four player one and the glorious six player edition- there were few joys in the arcades of yore that could even hope to surpass six X-Men at once fightin' action. The LIVE/PSN version will feature both as well, with local four player and online six.Everything else about the title will remain the same except for some added modern niceties like stat tracking and leaderboards- and I assume there will be achievements/trophies too.

The only question is: why Dazzler? Was '92 before Gambit? I know Iceman was around, Beast, Jean Grey... the point being there were a lot of gifted youngsters to choose from. Why Dazzler?

More screens and the press release after the break. Check them out while you ponder that question...

Dead Rising 2 'Psycho' Pack Now Available

Have you ever wanted to look like a horror movie killer while chopping zombies to bits? Well you must not have played Splatterhouse then- and your wish has been granted!

Start Transmission

The Dead Rising 2 Psychopath Theme Pack is now available on Xbox Live, Games for Windows Live and the PlayStation Network. Psycho Chuck will be a zombie’s worst nightmare as his new “insane” look will make him more difficult to kill and give him a host of gruesome weapons including chainsaws, cleavers, axes and more. Zombies won’t stand a chance!


The Dead Rising 2 Psychopath Theme Pack is available for 160 Microsoft points, or $1.99 on the PlayStation Network.

Stop Transmission

Nintendo Download -- 'Sonic is Back' edition

Sonic The hedgehog makes his triumphant return to consoles this week, starting with the Wii today. It's the marquee release this week and headlines an otherwise lackluster release list.

Marvel Games at the NYC Comic Con Wrap-up

I got the chance to play and look at some of the new Marvel games coming soon to a console near you while at the NYCC this weekend- by the way, try not to go on a Saturday. *oof

Best Buy Gaming Arcade Coming Soon

So this is a little bit of a rumor but I hear (from an insider in the company) that there will be a pilot program of  vastly expanded video game demo station 'arcades' coming soon to some stores. This is not the two or three games that they typically have on display now but will instead be "most new releases, excluding 'M' rated games." The idea being 'try before you buy'.

The source also tells me that the gaming sales area will be expanded and will soon dominate up to 3/4 of the 'media' section of Best Buy stores. That means a lot less real estate for movies and music.

This all amounts to BB wanting a bigger piece of Gamestop's pie. Apparently Best Buy sweats them. You could also expand on that and assume (hopefully without making an ass out of anyone) that there will be sale racks for used games coming soon as well- that's pure speculation on my behalf but I don't doubt it at all.

Avatar Re-Release Blu Ray Outlined

Now that's a pack-shot

The theatrical re-release of Avatar will have a bunch of extra content, and so of course that extra content will be making the voyage from the theater, across the expanse of space, and into your living room- via special edition's on both DVD and Blu Ray disc.

If you're a fan of the film, there's a lot of new stuff to do and watch here (not the least of which being the complete story) so the extra purchase is probably a no-brainer. I myself have never seen the movie (yeah, yeah, I know) so I will absolutely be picking this one up on Blu.

Read on for a detailed look at the contents of said discs...

Tron Evolution & Epic Mickey Shown Off at NYCC

Two of the more eagerly awaited games this Holiday season are a pair pf Disney titles- that statement alone says volumes, especially in a season that's loaded with AAA titles already.

TRON: Evolution is set during the era between the two TRON films, “TRON” (1982) and the upcoming “TRON: Legacy” (release date: December 17, 2010).  TRON: Evolution conveys the story of significant events within the TRON mythology.  The game features an epic adventure across a massive digital world filled with high-mobility disc-based combat and advanced light cycles.  TRON: Evolution is one of the keys to unlocking the TRON mythology.  The game’s story takes place before the “TRON: Legacy” events and provides insight into the film’s past.  As an integrated entertainment experience, the film will reference elements of the game’s story.  Fans will want to play the game to learn more about the TRON mythology seen in the film, but each entertainment experience will stand on its own.  TRON: Evolution games will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, Wii™, Windows PC, Nintendo DS™ and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.  The Wii game’s title, which includes addictive four-player minigames, is TRON: Evolution – Battle Grids.  The game’s release date is December 7.

Disney Epic Mickey is an action-adventure platforming game for the Wii console that sends Mickey Mouse on an epic journey of creativity and discovery.  As Mickey, the player is propelled into Wasteland, an alternate world made up of Disney’s long forgotten characters and attractions, and is given the power to wield paint and paint thinner to dynamically change the world while determining Mickey’s path to becoming an epic hero. 

Through the use of this unique paint and paint thinner, the key components of animation and Mickey’s tools for impacting his world, players will have the ability to shape how the story unfolds as they discover the concept of “Playstyle Matters” – an innovative style of gameplay created by Disney Interactive Studios’ Junction Point, led by industry luminary Warren Spector, where players creatively tackle different challenges in the world to explore all the possibilities and storylines – but with consequences for their chosen actions. Disney Epic Mickey will be available exclusively for the Wii console on November 30.

Both games will be playable on the show floor and we'll get as much info and as many shots as we can as these are two that I'm personally very much looking forward to.

Sonic 4 Available Right Now on the App Store

OOOOH! Peppermints!!

Any Sonic the Hedgehog fans out there? Then you've probably been looking forward to Sonic 4 right? Well as long as you've got an iDevice, you can haz Sonic 4s!!!

The game, the first official numbered sequel since Sonic 3 way back in the Genesis days, picks up right after the events of Sonic & Knuckles and looks like a very faithful addition to the franchise.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is available on the App Store for $9.99 and coming soon to Xbox LIVE and PSN

X-Men: Destiny Debuts Today on IGN

It's about time we got a dedicated X-Men game, it's shocking that we haven't seen one in so long to be honest.

A new breed of mutant heroes will invade game consoles next autumn in X-Men™: Destiny, from Marvel™ Entertainment and Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI). The all-new original video game casts players as new mutant recruits in a rich, branching storyline that features a deep element of choice and gives players ultimate control of their destiny. 

So stay tuned to IGN.com today to see what the fuss is all about- and then stay tuned right here as the game will reportedly also be shown off at the NYCC this weekend. And that means I'll get some data, and that means you'll get some data and my opinion on how it's looking so far.

Keep in mind though that the game won't actually be available until next fall- so it's got a year's worth of prep and polish to go.

PSN Update -- 'So, to be Clear, We're Just Getting PSOne Imports Now Right?' Edition

If thst is the case, it's better than nothing... I guess...

Anyhoo- This week also brings Alien Breed (which I heard a few good things about), some sale stuff, and a bunch of Gladiator Begins add-ons. Overall not too shabby.

European DJ Hero 2 Includes DJ Hero 1

There's no word on how long this deal is going to last so you might want to jump on it quickly-

European music fans can pick up the ultimate DJ Hero® 2 deal this October. Buy a specially marked DJ Hero 2 Turntable Bundle or Party Bundle and get a stand-alone copy of the critically acclaimed DJ Hero® as a bonus, while supplies last.  Combined that’s over 170 exclusive, original mixes featuring the biggest artists in pop, hip hop and dance, sure to transform living rooms into nightclubs letting budding beat chemists, singing sensations and all of their friends fire up two turntables and a microphone to experience their favourite music together in an all-new way.   Pre-order now or rush out on 22^nd October to take advantage of this limited offer.

And again, this is for Euro territories only. I haven't heard anything about this deal stateside, although you might want to watch store specific deals for a combo pack- I could easily see a Toys R Us, for example, running with the idea to clear the old stock. Pretty much all of the big boxers have been running saleson DJ Hero for a while now. Just a few weeks ago it was $19.99 at the above mentioned TRU.

Best Buy will Update Your New PS3... for Only $30

Wow! What a deal!

Honestly, I try to defend Best Buy whenever I can. Their Rewards Zone Program is really nice and probably the best that I use on a regular basis, the Gamer Club extension of said program is excellent with discounts and a greater reward pay out... I like 'em. For the most part.

Then today ars technica ran this.

Really? They open up your new PS3, update it with their in-store 'net hookup, and then charge you thirty bucks? I guess you could make the case that if you don't have internet access in your home then... oh forget it. I'm not even going to bother.

SEGA's Captain America: Super Soldier Debut's at NYC Comic Con

Captain America- decking Nazi's since 1941

Is this the secret game SEGA was teasing last week? I have no idea but if looks were anything to go by (and they're not) then this upcoming Cap movie-game adaptation would be a winner. I mean sure, it looks like a Captain America fan's dream but... history has taught us that not only are comic book licensed games notoriously bad- movie licensed games are even worse.

Now, it does seem like that tide has been turning in the last few years... (and I can't bring up Arkham Asylum enough) but still, I can't help but be a little skeptical of both Cap and the upcoming Thor game. I really, really, want to like both as I'm a huge old school Avengers fan so believe it when I say that I'll be getting as 'hands on' (or 'eyes on' as the case may be) as I can at the NYC Comic Con later this week.

Check out some preview stuff including the press release (which makes this sound really good) after the break so you can get all excited-

Nintendo Download -- 'I'm Slim Pickens' edition

Not too much going on this week in the ol' Ninty DL.

Shantae: Risky's Revenge headlines as the DSi release. There's a lot of positive buzz about this one as there was about the first game in the series, which I never heard of. We also get a Virtual Console release in the form of Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory, which is spelled in all caps but I will spare you of here.

I guess an unneccessary fighting game is better than nothing... *ahem*... I'm looking at you Sony.

Harmony of Despair gets an Expansion

The Xbox LIVE exclusive Castlevania title that looked great but landed with a dull thud is getting an Egyptian flavored expansion pack. The 'Pyramid of Ruins' pack isn't just a brand new setting, it also includes some new enemies and boss character- "Awaiting at the end of the map is a femme fatale boss, Ashtarte, with the sole intent of breaking your soul into oblivion." She sounds nice.

This is but the first of the expansions as there will be more to come as the year goes on, new characters are on their way too. However you feel about the game, it's nice to see Konami and series producer Koji Igarashi are going to continue supporting it.

The DLC pack costs 400mspts and is available now